BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) confirmed via its developer blog that they will continue to develop and provide enhancements to the BlackBerry 10 operating system and announced that they have plans for platform updates with version 10.3.3 which is scheduled to be released early 2016, possibly March 2016.
With the many rumors about BlackBerry’s Android-powered Priv smartphone, many people were asking if BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) was abandoning BlackBerry 10 OS or if there is ever going to be a new release. Perhaps their developer blog was an answer to this confusion.
During BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s second quarter fiscal 2016 call, CEO John Chen confirmed the upcoming Priv smartphone.
While the new device will provide a choice in OS to new and existing customers, the company remains committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which enables industry-leading security and productivity benefits.
According to BlackBerry CEO John Chen, the new Priv smartphone as part of other initiatives, is expected to generate “modest” revenue growth for BlackBerry Ltd. Some think the new Priv will help BlackBerry gain some handset market momentum given the fact that it’s running the all popular Android with its huge apps base.
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) also confirmed the rumors about the upcoming Priv smartphone with the announcement of pre-order starts last week.
BlackBerry 10.3.3 release will have updates concentrating on security and privacy enhancements with continued support for development environments Native, Cascades and Web app development. Support for Android RunTime will also continue, BlackBerry said they have no plans to remove Android RunTime from BlackBerry 10.
BlackBerry World for distributing apps, app development for enterprise through BES12 will continue to be supported by BlackBerry 10.
